The patient in a halo brace: striving for normalcy in body image and self-concept

This retroactive descriptive study identified specific psychologic concerns and needs of halo patients related to the halo experience. Thirty-eight subjects who had a halo brace applied in the previous 8 years completed the questionnaire. Responses were categorized and analyzed using nursing diagnoses. Results showed that distortion of body image, distortion of self-concept, grieving for losses, and striving for normalcy are among the phenomena experienced by halo patients.